 |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
(Enter page notes/reminders here, they will not appear on the web page. NOTE: they DO appear in the "code" of the page and so are viewable by any user which views the code so NO personal or confidential info here)
Deborah Mitchell, Founder and Artistic Director
“Receiving all these awards is very humbling because you realize that you really have been entrusted with the art form’s future, and that you have the responsibility to give even more energy. It takes you away from any thoughts of sitting on your laurels or taking a break, and kicks you a little bit to keep going.”
- Deborah Mitchell
Inspiration and Achievement
Deborah Mitchell began tap dancing at the age of six when her mother enrolled her in a St. Louis dance school. As founder and artistic director of NJTAP, Mitchell has been at its helm since 1994. Known throughout the New York area as a distinguished tap professional, she is the protégé of Leslie “Bubba” Gaines of the Copasetics and student of legendary tap masters including Broadway Choreographer Henry LeTang. Her many credits include “The Cotton Club” movie, the Broadway and Paris Productions of Black and Blue, PBS Great Performances, 5 international tours with the legendary Cab Calloway, and a partnership with Philadelphia native Germaine Goodson as "The Rhythm Queens."
Ms. Mitchell is producer of the NJTAP Touring Tap Boot Camp and participates annually in festivals such as the New York City Tap Festival, St. Louis Tap Festival and Traditions In Tap. She was a guest panelist on the subject of tap as an American art form at the Dance in the Millennium Conference, Washington, D.C., and participates in national and international programs such as the International Tap Association that focus on the promotion and perpetuation of the art of tap dancing.
Creating New Jersey Tap Dance Ensemble
Under the direction of Ms. Mitchell, New Jersey Tap Dance Ensemble has become one of the most prominent touring tap dance companies in the country. The Ensemble was recently heralded by New York Times dance writer Jennifer Dunning on the occasion of their performance in the Tap City Festival at The Duke Theatre on 42nd Street in New York City as one of her favorites.
A Belief in Arts Education
A strong advocate for arts education, Deborah Mitchell was a principal affiliate of the New Jersey Performing Arts Center for 6 years from its inception, participating in the Center’s Dance Academy both as a tap instructor and as a workshop facilitator. Ms. Mitchell was instrumental in establishing tap dance as a technique to be offered to children participating in the Dance Academy. A master teacher and motivational speaker about the art form, she also provides in-service training to teachers and dance educators throughout the tri-state area.
Working with Young Artists
As an extension of her work with the New Jersey Tap Dance Ensemble’s First Company, Ms. Mitchell has created and mentored the youth company, a pre-professional division of the company teaching rhythm dance skills and sharing its rich history and tradition with young artists. Ms. Mitchell is chairman of the Tap Department of Sharron Miller’s Academy for the Performing Arts, Montclair, New Jersey; serves on the advisory board of Tony Waag’s Tap City in New York; and is assistant director/choreographer for Theater Workshop/Peppermint Players, Marie Foster, Director; and is a board member for Alliance for Arts Education/New Jersey.
Recognition/Awards
In recognition of extraordinary artistic leadership, Deborah Mitchell received 3 of tap’s most prestigious awards in 2007 which included the New York Committee to Celebrate National Tap Dance Day’s Flo-Bert Award for Lifetime Achievement, New York City Tap Festival's Hoofer Award for Inspiring the Next Tap Generation, Oklahoma City’s Living Treasure Award for Preserving An American Dance Form, and, in 2006, Savion Glover’s award for outstanding contribution to the art form. |
|
|
|
|
